The Alpha's Choice

Lyra's Pov I scrubbed the floor with aching hands, my back bent in a futile attempt to ease the strain. I was preparing the pack hall for Kaid's return—the new Alpha, son of our deceased leader. As the only Omega in the Revlon Pack, I was tasked with all the hard chores. "Lyra, what's taking so long?" Zoel's voice cut through the morning silence like a whip. I flinched, knowing I was in for a lashing. Zoel, my biggest nightmare, was our beta, and though everyone disregarded me because of my low status, Zoel was the meanest; he took it upon himself to make my life miserable. "I'm talking to you, Omega," Zoel sneered, his boots clicking as he approached me. "You lazy crap, you're just a waste of space in this pack." I felt a sting from his words, but I wouldn't dare retort. "Good morning, beta," I managed to say, trying to stand up right so that I could bow properly, but he yanked me off balance. My head hit the pail with a clang, sending water and soap splashing everywhere. I screeched as pain shot through my skull and blood tricked through my hair down to my forehead. "Clumsy Omega," Zoel hissed, walking away. My wolf, Dilly, growled angrily in my head. "It's okay." I comforted her soberly. "Let's just hope we find our mate today; maybe everything will change," I assured him. The thought of finding my mate gave me hope. I just clocked 18, and according to our tradition, I was now eligible to meet my mate. I sighed heavily, then picked up the brush with renewed energy. It was an hour until mid-noon, and the visitors, mostly royals from neighboring packs, were trooping in. I could hear rustling and loud cheering in the pack hall. "The alpha will soon be here," I thought to myself as I tried to hasten up the cooking. It was hard cooking for such large numbers alone, but I had no choice. Suddenly, I heard a loud horn blaring, accompanied by loud cheering and clapping. I knew at once that the alpha was here. My hands shivered as I struggled to arrange the food on the trays. It was just seconds before the beta came flying in with rage. "Hurry up, you dumbass!" he yelled, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. "I'm sorry, beta; I will be done soon," I pleaded, bowing my head in submission. His breathing was quick and erratic, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his anger simmered just below the surface. I closed my eyes, expecting a blow, but he rather stormed out of the kitchen. I heaved a huge sigh as I heard his steps fade out. I emerged from the kitchen with a smile of hope on my face as I strolled gracefully through the crowd, a tray of food in my hands. I was wearing my favorite dress and had my hair neatly tied up behind me. The cut on my head was completely healed thanks to Dilly. I walked towards the center table, where our alpha, along with the other alphas of the neighboring packs, were sitting. As I approached the table, Dilly gave an unusual signal. I placed the tray gently on the table, trying to calm Dilly, who was now popping excitedly in my head. "Come back here." I heard a stern but sweet voice behind me as I made to leave. I quickly turned; it was Kaid, our new alpha. He walked calmly towards me; the entire hall was now silent as everyone's eyes were now on us. I felt a bit uncomfortable standing face-to-face with the alpha. I bowed my head a bit, trying to avoid his stern gaze, but Dilly kept giving unusual signals. She was silent, so I could only imagine what she meant. "Could he be my fated mate?" I blushed a little at the thought as he drew closer. I sniffled his scent into my nostrils; he had a bright, sunny fragrance, a vibrant mix of florals and citrus. My heart raced. "No, this can't be," Kaid burst out, shaking his head. "An omega for a mate?" He screamed, his voice echoing through the roof. I shivered at the sound of his voice. "I, Kaid Hutler, reject you, Omega, as my mate," he thundered, sending shivers down my spine. I noticed he skipped my name from the rejection statement. Well, he didn't know my name, and maybe he didn't even care. "Get the hell out of my sight," he growled, returning to his seat. Tears formed in my eyes as I stood stunned and embarrassed. Dilly whimpered sadly in my head. "I, Lyra Crox, accept your rejection, Alpha," I managed to say through sobs, my voice cracking. I heard jeering and hisses from the crowd as I sprinted off, my right hand holding the helm of my dress. I sat alone in my small, messy apartment, my legs spread in despair and my back against the wall. My long, dark hair covered my teary face. The Alpha's words were still in my head, my throat ached, and my eyes swollen from too much crying. Dilly groaned softly. I could feel she was so weak, having to bear the pain of mate rejection. "I'm so sorry, Dilly." I sobbed slightly. I thought I heard footsteps approaching, and then for a moment I thought my mind was playing tricks. Suddenly, there was a banging on my door before I could ask who it was. My door was kicked down, and the door fell heavily on the floor, almost crushing me. I jolted up to my feet, looking through my teary eyes to figure out who it was. But it was already dark; I could only see the silhouette of three huge people approaching. I stumbled back, but one of them grabbed my shoulder firmly and pulled me out of my room, leading me to an unknown location. "Let go of me!" I yelled in protest, struggling to free myself, but his grip was firm, and I was too weak. "Who are you?" and "Where are you taking me?" I cried out, but received no response. There were footsteps approaching, and they paused. I immediately picked up the scent of florals and citrus; it was Kaid. He halted before me. "Hello, mate," he mocked. He placed his index finger on my chin and lifted my face up slowly. "You're nothing but a curse to this pack, Lyra; the goddess must be insane to hand me such a weak mate," he spat. My eyelids drooped as I gave him a full gaze, my eyes puffy. I tried to speak out, but "I'm sorry, Alpha" was all I could manage to say. "Throw her into the dungeon," he ordered. "Her presence is an insult to our honorable pack." With this, I was dragged away. I find myself in a damp, dimly lit cell, the air thick with the stench of mold and decay. The walls are cold, gray stone, slick with moisture, and the floor is covered in a thin layer of grimy straw. The only sound is the distant drip of water echoing off the stone. The cell is small, with no windows, and the door is a thick, iron-reinforced slab with a small, barred opening at eye level. I'm surrounded by the musty smell of age, neglect, and the feeling of being forgotten, left to rot in this dank, dark pit. I lay on the ground, my body too weak to move. I surrendered to my fate. I was nothing but a good fit for nothing, Omega. I wished I had never been Kaid's mate. Now I was doomed, left to rot in this dark pit. I let out a deep sigh, relaxed my muscles, and drifted into a deep sleep. I was awakened by the squeaking of the cell door. I saw a male figure creep in. "Come, let's go," he called out.